Smyrna times., 1887-04-20
LAND OF BIG GAME.

,
fever plague had carried off hundreds of
the natives and depopulated many Of the
villages. Game had had opportunity to
increase, and we had reason to look for
ward to some exciting sport. A native
hunter, living near Seringapatam, and
who was with us in charge of the ser
wants, had been told by good authority
that lions and tigers had come into
the abandoned district until they were as
plentiful as harcs and that we should find
a hunters paradise.
We pitched our camp on a cleared spot
on the right bank of the creek, which had
two feet of water in it and was about ten
feet wide. 1t was a hilly country all
about us, with the ground fairly well
timbeFed. Half a mile below us was
an abandoned native village, and many
acres Of ground which had once been
titled were now grown mp to bush and
weeds. We went into camp about an
hour. before sundown.
The next day was ushered in with a
drizzling rain, and it was early decided
not to have any general beat up for game,
but to overhaul arms and trappings and
make ready for next day. Soon after
breakfast ] took my repeating rifle and
navy revolver, slipped some extra car
tridges into my pocket, and set out alone
to have look at the deserted village be-
low US.
81 warn you to be careful, sir,'' eau
toned native tiger slayer as l passed
the spot on which he was mending a
saddle.
"Oh, have no fear, and the wild
beasts will be asleep this morning, any
how"
''Some may not, p" he answered, with a
dubious shake of the head, and he was
looking after me as 1 entered the bush.
had forgotten to say that during the
night we were greatly disturbed by the
noises around US. We kept several large
fires going, and while these prevented
marauding beasts from coming too near,
the glare probably attracted them to the
locality. One could distinguish the spit Of
the panther, the snarl of the tiger and the
voice of the lion; and added to these were
the howl Of the wolf, the chatter Of the
hyena and the yelp of the jackal. Truly,
we had struck rich find Driven out
of the other districts, the beast creation
had made their way to this, and the sound
OF hunters rifle had not been heard here
for years.
had not gone a quarter of mile from
camp when a large black snake ran kissing
away from my feet, and 1 heard wild
beast Of some sort making its way in the
thicket These were proofs that l could
not be over prudent, and thereafter kept
my eyes about me and my rifle ready for
instant service. The village was strung
along the creek for half mile. but the
ilrst hut came to was an inclOsure that
had been used for a council house. The
four walls were of Adobe, while the roof
was thatched. There were really but
three walls, one end being left open except
slight return Of each side wall. This
open space was at least twenty feet across,
while there was room enough inside for
400 people to sit or stand. The open end
looked back in the direction I had come
and twenty feet away was the beginning
OF wall which extended for about 800
feet. 1t was about four feet high, made
OF adobe, and I could not make out for
what purpose 1t had been erected. If an
enemy had been expected to approach
from east or west this wall wOuld have
been good breastwOrk, although its left
flank could have easily been turned.
stood for three or four minutes scan
ming the interior of the building. md then
walked to the further end of it. There
were a couple Of whitened skulls ON the
ground. and gave one Of them a kick.
AS l did so an insect or reptile of some
sort issued forth with great sWiftness and
stung or bit me on the left wrist It's
movements were so rapid that could not
say whether it flew or sprang at me.
simply caught a glimpse or two Of a dark.
marry OBJECT, and then felt the pain, which
was as severe as if had been touched
with red hot iron. carried an antidote
for insect and reptile poisoning Near the
great doorway was a block Of wood. and
went to it, pulled off my coat. pushed mn
my sleeve and examined the wound
There was but one puncture, but it had
drawn blood, and the flesh was rapidlv
Feddenlng l brought my arm up and
sucked away at the wound for two or three
minutes, and then applied the antidote
and wrapped bandage about it. I must
have drawn all the poison out. but never
theless l soon found myself as weak
as a babe and my head seemed fonr
times too large for my BODY. Indeed
was afraid to stand up for fear that
my body would not support tbe
mead This feeling began to 20 awav in
ABOUT nfteen minutes, and was lust CON
graduating myself on my lucky escaDe
When turned my eyes to the north. or to- |
"ard camp. The sight thrilled me like
an electric shock. Close beside the wall |
on the LETT hand side, was a tiger. a rous. |
I1s DlB ielOW, who had seen fifteen years |
Oi NE. On the right hand side, and also |
SiOsS i 70 .he base OF the wall, was medium |
sized male lion, and the attitude of botb /
plainly showed that they had been stoJi--
ing me. 1t was a still hunt and 7 Tas
the victim. The lion had come ont Of tIe |
oush TO the right, and the tiger had come |
Out OF O thicket to the left, and crossed tbo
creek. Neither animal could have seen
tne other, and thus they were not aware
OF each others presence.
uau remained in the building will, nv
back 70 the door another moment ono of
1ne beasts would undoubtedly have crpDt
close enough to make a spring. When
turned about and sat down on the bIocl-
OF wood the movement upset their caIc1,-
laUons and made them timid for the mo
ment. Under certain circumstance ony
WHo beast loses heart. A move which Is
a surprise and not clearly understood will
make ours OF them at once, and q second
move move VIII put them to ignominious FLIGHT
Mhen l got sight Of the beasts the
MN had naH turned, as IL to sneak
10y Wnlle tne tiger was crouched
ssallls1 Ihe wall, and appeared shame
laeed. Had risen up and swung nv hat
AHHu seiieo Doth would have bolted, but
must confess that, taking my poin and
= me general situation into account. I was
Da0ly ratified. I couldn't think inst what
ought 70 be done, and therefore did MOTH
~ IN rms, after o moment ENCOURAGED
inc beasts, and then came such a situation
as leW men were ever placed in. had
Opror UNITY 70 see here q lion and a tiger
.pproaeh victim, waiting to be strncb
Gown have wondered q thousand
LINES tiLe what could have come over me to sit
mere with my gun within reach and nv
-. LSFoisef IN its holster and make not the
, sLigiltest move to save my life while those
1etee 9rutes crept nearer and nearer
.nlhA the poison benumbed and stupefed
me 70 certain extent. That is. Wb;lo
my Draln was never moro active and nv
syeslght Keen, / felt helpless to move and
~ : mouth was as dry as IL had n fever
knew my peril as fully as any one couId
ouS % when thought Of grasping nv rife
slo slgntlng It the exertion required dis
souraged me. ''''
The lion was the bolder Of the tina
AIter- making up his mind .that could
.os harin MIN, he held his head well nm
wing ms tal about, and advanced at
ai9M pace. 1 was under cover and
le might have suspected a tran Rnt for
MS ne would probably have made a rueh
me tiger displayed exactly the aoyoo
sCs D cat creeping upon her
prey ne lcrept. er8Wled, twisted abonf
Z. .aa sought q shelter BIS body behtsa tie
hsniest tnft OF grass. fIe did not, row
yer, take bis eyes OF me for the tenth Of
second and the nearer he ca4no ffhe
more his nrroat linz ,o.toI ~, 49,. -